Who In America Makes LD Shafts Out of Solid Blanks or Converts Existing Shafts to LD?

I’ve played with various models of the Predator shafts as they evolved over the years.

I like their performance factors very much and found that arriving at the ideal feel and hit had a lot to do with the types of *tips* I experimented with -- different hardnesses of Kamuis, experiments with Everests & Mooris, layered tips vs single layered ones, etc.

I know this thread is about comparisons of shafts (and ferrules) but I’m surprised that some mention hasn’t been made of the results when trying different tips on a given shaft that didn’t have a “just right” feel.
 
arnaldo said:
I’ve played with various models of the Predator shafts as they evolved over the years.

I like their performance factors very much and found that arriving at the ideal feel and hit had a lot to do with the types of *tips* I experimented with -- different hardnesses of Kamuis, experiments with Everests & Mooris, layered tips vs single layered ones, etc.

I know this thread is about comparisons of shafts (and ferrules) but I’m surprised that some mention hasn’t been made of the results when trying different tips on a given shaft that didn’t have a “just right” feel.
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You are probably right. I'll be swapping out shafts until I find one (by mistake) with a tip I like and I'll be all "I finally found the perfect shaft".

Thanks

Kevin
 
ChrisOnline said:
Maybe you can use your WheatBucks!

chris
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Hell that is a good idea Chris, Kevin if it helps I will put these in the mail for ya!!!!:smile:

WheatBucks.jpg

wheaties_box_empty-1.jpg
 
kvinbrwr said:
Chris

Hopefully I'll have my new MEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Call 7 and 8.

Kevin
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Uhhhh...now I have to start practicing. I was enjoying my break from pool.

I would like to try the Mezz too if you like it. The TAD was good, nothing wrong with that.
 
TATE said:
Uhhhh...now I have to start practicing. I was enjoying my break from pool.

I would like to try the Mezz too if you like it. The TAD was good, nothing wrong with that.
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Me too. I haven't played at all. There's one other shaft maker looking to send a thing for evaluation. My Mezz is on the way.

Kevin
 
i just finished reading up on the history of mezz cues. it was pretty interesting i have to say. some of the info i already knew but the article brought out some details i did not know.

mezz is the personal line of cues produced by a japanese company called miki co. miki co has been in biz since 1960 making cues.

in 1971 they started producing cues for an american company under several different brands. they were under contract to sell all cues made through this american company and not to sell any cues under their own name.

the brands were adam, helmstetter,stambolini, mali, brunswick and ,longoni.

after seperating with this american company in the late 80s they continued to make their own cues. in 1995 they came out with the mezz brand. i find it interesting that a lot of people have catogorized the above brands as so so or below average cues, but have jumped on the mezz bandwagon.
 
AtLarge said:
Or maybe you could contact Jess June if you had any interest in learning about his shafts.
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Anyone have a contact phone number for Jess June?

I might try again for the ferruleless LD shaft, eliminating the Hangemhigh middleman. Heck-maybe my shaft (sent to match ringwork) might be kicking around the shop.

I've hit the Mezz WD700-feels good.
 
lorider said:
i just finished reading up on the history of mezz cues. it was pretty interesting i have to say. some of the info i already knew but the article brought out some details i did not know.

mezz is the personal line of cues produced by a japanese company called miki co. miki co has been in biz since 1960 making cues.

in 1971 they started producing cues for an american company under several different brands. they were under contract to sell all cues made through this american company and not to sell any cues under their own name.

the brands were adam, helmstetter,stambolini, mali, brunswick and ,longoni.

after seperating with this american company in the late 80s they continued to make their own cues. in 1995 they came out with the mezz brand. i find it interesting that a lot of people have catogorized the above brands as so so or below average cues, but have jumped on the mezz bandwagon.
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I've always loved the Adam and Helmstetter product. No less an authority than Tad Kohara (obviously biased) claimed Adam's Titlist blanks were so far superior to Brunswicks' American efforts it was laughable.

Thanks

Kevin
 
Hi,

Mike Lambros makes an excellent ld shaft with great feel, I actually play with his normal 12,75 shafts and they also shoot very straight - all of his cues that I have tried or have shoots straight. I have 2 DZ cues with 1/2 inch ferrules that also shoot low and has a great feel.
Mike Webb and Jeff Olney also have ld shafts - havn´t tried them though.
Ronnie Powell (Queperfect) has them, shoots very, very straight.
I know I read in some thread that D Kikel also have them.
I guess most cuemakers today have some sort of ld shafts or at least know how to do them.

For me though ld is just one part and do not define a good cue at all.

regards

Chrippa
 
Michael Webb's LD shaft

Hello Kevin,
To my surprise, nobody mentioned custom LD shaft made by Mike Webb. It is a one piece solid maple shaft with LD characteristics. I ordered 2 LD shafts from him: one for my SW and one for my Sugartree as I am in the LD camp for so long. The shafts have similar LD characteristics to Pre 314-2 yet provide great feedback. If you have a Sugartree cue and have one shaft made for it by Mr. Webb and don't like the shaft after playing with it then I would gladly buy it from you, say, at 80% of your cost.

Rgds,
Nam
 
I am using LD shafts which are non-laminated.
I know 2 guys which are manufacturing these shafts- both are similar made. Great wood quality, very good taper.

And til now everyone who made shots with my Josey or whatever cue thought it was just a bombastic regular shaft *grins*.

Here my thanks go to Silvio Zugec (Gloria Cues) a very talented Cuemaker from Austria (and friend!) from which i own now 4 shafts-and all are playing the same!
And also to Markus K. from cologne - he developed also a LD-Shaft which he *let build* by a good cuemaker (O. Stops). His shafts are also really great with a super stiff hit.


It is possible- you need the knowledge and the passion for it. Both of them tried a long time to find *their personal style* for LD shafts. And both made their way. Unfortunatley Silvio just makes it *half-time*. It s a shame for such a talented cuemaker :-)

lg from overseas,

Ingo
 
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My SPTX shaft has the same low deflection as a Predator. My SPTX shaft at 12mm has less deflection than a predator. The 12mm has too much give for me but a 12.5 or a 12.7 seems to deliver all the power and feel I need and the low deflection.
 
gulyassy said:
My SPTX shaft has the same low deflection as a Predator. My SPTX shaft at 12mm has less deflection than a predator. The 12mm has too much give for me but a 12.5 or a 12.7 seems to deliver all the power and feel I need and the low deflection.
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I had no idea this was happening. This has been a great thread, a true leaning experience for me. If I wanted to go to a 30 inch shaft (can you do this ?) what diameter would you suggest to still retain the LD characteristic (if length poses a variable) ?

Thanks

Kevin
 
kvinbrwr said:
I had no idea this was happening. This has been a great thread, a true leaning experience for me. If I wanted to go to a 30 inch shaft (can you do this ?) what diameter would you suggest to still retain the LD characteristic (if length poses a variable) ?

Thanks

Kevin
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I'm going to try to come thru with some good advice again... Bypass the 30" shaft idea. I had one made from a Predator blank for my Scruggs around 10 years ago. Once I had it made I didn't really care for the feel of it and had trouble adjusting to it. So I just stuck with my standard 29" Predator shaft. I took a 4+ year break from pool and when I came back to playing I forced myself to use the 30" shaft. After a couple years of playing with it I had a tip go bad on it while gambling and was forced to use the 29" shaft (with a 6+ year old Moori tip on it). I immediately noticed the 29" shaft had a much firmer hit, I was hitting long shots much more accurately, and playing much better because of it.... I first thought it might be the "new cue syndrome" and the magic might wear off. It didn't. So after a couple of weeks I switched back to the 30" shaft, played poorly, and gave it up once again.

IMO, simply put, that extra inch gives the shaft much more flex and a whippy feel. Bartram has played with a 60" cue for years and has always used a 29" shaft. He tried cues with a 30" shaft and fealt the same way I did, that the 30" shaft was too whippy. A year or so ago I had Dick Neighbors make my Scruggs butt 2" longer (added 2" of black Delrin to the end of the butt) and continue to use a 29" shaft. If you're looking for more length in the cue, the butt is where to add the length.
 
The Saw said:
I'm going to try to come thru with some good advice again... Bypass the 30" shaft idea. I had one made from a Predator blank for my Scruggs around 10 years ago. Once I had it made I didn't really care for the feel of it and had trouble adjusting to it. So I just stuck with my standard 29" Predator shaft. I took a 4+ year break from pool and when I came back to playing I forced myself to use the 30" shaft. After a couple years of playing with it I had a tip go bad on it while gambling and was forced to use the 29" shaft (with a 6+ year old Moori tip on it). I immediately noticed the 29" shaft had a much firmer hit, I was hitting long shots much more accurately, and playing much better because of it.... I first thought it might be the "new cue syndrome" and the magic might wear off. It didn't. So after a couple of weeks I switched back to the 30" shaft, played poorly, and gave it up once again.

IMO, simply put, that extra inch gives the shaft much more flex and a whippy feel. Bartram has played with a 60" cue for years and has always used a 29" shaft. He tried cues with a 30" shaft and fealt the same way I did, that the 30" shaft was too whippy. A year or so ago I had Dick Neighbors make my Scruggs butt 2" longer (added 2" of black Delrin to the end of the butt) and continue to use a 29" shaft. If you're looking for more length in the cue, the butt is where to add the length.
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Maybe that's my problem with the Predator, both shafts I have are 30 inches.

I have a standard length Mezz coming, I'll probably love it and the difference will have always been length and I'll be all "Mezz is way better than Predator".

Thanks again. Like I said, this thread has been an eye opener.

Kevin
 
kvinbrwr said:
I had no idea this was happening. This has been a great thread, a true leaning experience for me. If I wanted to go to a 30 inch shaft (can you do this ?) what diameter would you suggest to still retain the LD characteristic (if length poses a variable) ?

Thanks

Kevin
Click to expand...

I think a 30 inch shaft would have no bearing on the LD, matter of fact I believe that it would slightly improve the LD. I would suggest a 12.7 but what do you like?
 
kvinbrwr said:
Maybe that's my problem with the Predator, both shafts I have are 30 inches.

I have a standard length Mezz coming, I'll probably love it and the difference will have always been length and I'll be all "Mezz is way better than Predator".

Thanks again. Like I said, this thread has been an eye opener.

Kevin
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LOL... You're about to have an ahhhaaaa moment when the Mezz arrives.
 
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